Wiseman a chance for Boxing Day Test

Paul Wiseman, probably the only international cricketer laid low by a frisbee, has every chance of being fit enough to re-admission to the New Zealand team for the Test against Zimbabwe starting at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, on December 26.

Wiseman, apparently the leading New Zealand spinner after Daniel Vettori withdrew with a back injury during the recent tour, found it hard to command a top-level place in South Africa.

Then, during some frisbee-throwing frolic in some pre-game warm-ups, Wiseman tumbled over his team-mate Kerry Walmsley and damaged his left ankle. Subsequent examinations were said to show a strain, and Glen Sulzberger was put on stand-by.

Then Wiseman, moving more freely, was given a 48-hour reprieve, but failed to pass a later fitness test and was on his way home.

Then came the news that an examination showed Wiseman had a fractured ankle, and was likely to be out of big cricket for six weeks -- and perhaps available for the home tests against Pakistan in February-March.

All this seemed weird history when Wiseman bowled 14 overs for Otago against Auckland in the Shell Trophy match at Eden Park today.

"I wanted to play for Otago, and to see whether I could be available for the Zimbabwe test on December 26," said Wiseman tonight.

"There was some pain, I knew that would happen, but I could move easily enough. The real test will come when I see how I am moving tomorrow morning."

Ash Stiven, the Otago team physiotherapist, said the good news for Wiseman came after a scan showed not an orthodox fracture (out for 6-8 weeks) but that a bone flake had detached from the ankle joint.

This, said Stiven, could be easily handled with strapping, and with little likelihood of further damage to the ankle.

Ross Dykes, one of the national selection panel, watched Wiseman at Eden Park today and afterward was optimistic the off-spinner would be on the available list when the first Test squad is named on Monday.